Serial number starting with "X"?

[Jaybird56]

Hello. First time poster, here. Can someone please help me identify the country of manufacture of the serial number in the photo? I've looked all through the dating info on this site and others and cannot find anything that begins with the letter "X". I've also not seen a label with the serial number on a white background. It almost looks like a sticker that may have possibly been placed over the original? Unfortunately, this photo was sent to me by a seller in another state, so I cannot personally inspect it. Thanks.

 

[soulman969]

Welcome to the forum Jaybird. My guess is that it's a model that has been repaired and/or refurbished by a company who specializes in doing just that and then sold by them or a dealer network they supply.

Well known manufacturers and dealers often send guitars with flaws or shipping damage to companies like MIRC in Nashville, TN for them to restore to saleable condition. The original serial number is either removed or covered over with a label like yours indicating it's origin.

Here's an article originally posted on Reverb that will tell you more about that marketplace and about the MIRC process in general.

7 Things You Need to Know About Refurbished Guitars from MIRC

The Musical Instrument Reclamation Corporation gives buyers access to high-quality used instruments at affordable prices.

reverb.com

In my experience these instruments can often be had for much less than a comparable new instrument would run and yet they are rebuilt or refinished to factory spec or better and represent a good bargain cost wise. They just lack an original factory warranty.

 

[Paruwi]

to my knowledge this serial# with letter prefix 'X' has nothing to do with MIRC

Epiphone serial-number-information - identification

YYMMFFRRRRR In 2008 models begin to appear without a factory i.d. letter prefix. YY = Year of manufacture MM = Month of manufature FF = Factory I.D. RRRRR = Ranking number Example: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333 NOTE: Pre 1994 productions also frequently omitted...

www.epiphonetalk.com

 

[soulman969]

View attachment 20752

to my knowledge this serial# with letter prefix 'X' has nothing to do with MIRC

Epiphone serial-number-information - identification

YYMMFFRRRRR In 2008 models begin to appear without a factory i.d. letter prefix. YY = Year of manufacture MM = Month of manufature FF = Factory I.D. RRRRR = Ranking number Example: 08121520333 = 2008 / December / factory 15 / unit 20333 NOTE: Pre 1994 productions also frequently omitted...

www.epiphonetalk.com

That's entirely possible but that label has the look of one that companies like MIRC use for refurbished instruments. It's the reason I "went there". Any other thoughts on it's origin?